Quote:
Originally Posted by Spencer Collins
“The doctrine of election declares that God, before the foundation of the world, chose certain individuals to be the objects of His undeserved favor. These, and these only, He purposed to save.".. Steele & Thomas
· In contrast to the above claim, other passages assert that God indeed offers salvation to all men, and not just a particular group that He has previously selected (John 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:4 “who desires all men to be saved”; 2:6 “who gave Himself as a ransom for all”; Titus 2:11 “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men”).
· Why would Jesus have the gospel preached to all creation (Mark 16:16; Matthew 28:19), if God has already decided who will be saved and this has nothing to do with their response to God or His truth?
· Why would God give definite conditions for salvation, if His eternal choice of particular sinners unto salvation was not based upon any foreseen act or response on the part of those selected, but was based solely on His own good pleasure and sovereign will. Why then all the commands to “believe” (John 3:16; Mark 16:16; Hebrews 11:6); repent (Luke 13:1-3; Acts 17:30; 2:38; 2 Corinthians 7:10-11); confess (Romans 10:9-10); be baptized (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21), and live a life of faithfulness (Hebrews 5:9)? All of these passages are both false and unnecessary is the denominational theory of predestination is true.
· Why is God waiting for men to come to repentance, if repentance has nothing to do with one’s salvation? (2 Peter 3:9). Remember, this is not the repentance of the predestined, for God saves people without any consideration of their future response.
Does God desire that all be saved? Yes..but we must make a choice!
God knew the choice we would make but that is not "predestination" it is his supreme knowledge and his benevolent gift of free will. In this gift he shows not only his love for his creation but also his respect by allowing choice.
Pax Christi <><
Spencer
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Here are the scriptures that these men were quoting.
Ephesians 1:4 (KJV)
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
1 Peter 1:20 (KJV)
20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
You need to understand this, God has chosen a selected few before time began for a special purpose. You also need to know that the scriptures tell us that all whoever lived and died without hope will be brought back to their former state, then God will pure out His Holy Spirit on them as He has done to Christians now.
You in addition to the about the saints at Jesus' return will rule with Him in His kingdom, which will be set up on the earth in Jerusalem. This is when God will set out to save the rest of humanity. All this is supported in the Bible yet so few seem to see it.